It’s both International Biodiversity Week, and Mental Health Awareness Week. Many won’t make the link…but there is one, and it is strong. Being in nature is good for us – emotionally, physically, psychologically and socially. Biodiversity and mental health are natural partners.
So what should we do?
- Create opportunities for everyone to have local access to greenspace.
2. Get out into greenspace – ie have contact with nature.
3. Take the time to connect with nature.
Research by the University of Derby found that people who are more nature-connected are more likely to take pro-environmental action at home, to be 1.8 times more conservation minded, are more likely to have a positive outlook on life, and score more highly for personal growth.
The University worked with the National Trust and others to identify 5 ‘pathways’ to connecting with nature.
- Senses
- Emotion
- Beauty
- Meaning
- Compassion
You can download this as a postcard, here.
This bodes well for nature-based coaches, and their clients, who often report that thinking in nature enables deeper, more productive work.
For our free guide to why connect with nature, get in touch.